Introduction

Kang Usik (1942-) is a Korean poet. At the beginning of his career, Kang attempted to revitalize the musicality of the Korean language by evoking the 3-4 syllable and 4-4 syllable rhythm of traditional Korean poetry and named the 4 line verse poetry form “4 line poetry”, Afterwards, Kang attempted various other forms of poetry such as 3 line poetry, 2 line poetry, serial poetry, and short and long poetry, and others.

Life

Kang was born in 1942 in Jumunjin, Gangwon-do. In 1966, Kang received the Hyeondae Munhak Modern Literature Recommendation for his work “Bakkot” (박꽃Gourd Flower). Kang studied under the poets Seo Jeongju and Gim Guyong and was active in the Association for Underground Poetry (지하시동인회). In 1979, Kang started a long career in publishing. He received his Ph.D in literature from Seonggyungwan University, and began teaching as a professor of Korean literature at Seonggyungwan University in 1988.

Kang has published a number of poetry collections, including: Poetry collections; Sahaengsicho (사행시초Four Line Poetry)(1974), Babosansu (바보산수Idiot Landscape) (1999), Saraganeun seulpeum byeok (살아가는 슬픔 벽Sorrow of Living, the Wall)(2013), Sahaengsicho 2 (사행시초2 Four Line Poetry 2) (2015); Essay Collections; Tonggeum sogui sayeondeul (통금 속의 사연들Stories in Curfew)(1977), Sarangeul chajaseo(사랑을 찾아서In Search of Love)(1988); Poetry Drama Collections; Beolgeosungi bangmun (벌거숭이 방문Naked Visit)(1983); Poetry Essay Collections; Yukgamgwa hon(육감과 혼Sixth Sense and Spirit)(1986); Studies; Hanguk bundansi yeongu (한국 분단시 연구Research on Poems of the Division of Korea)(2004), actively publishing for around 40 years. In 1975, Kang won the Hyeondae Munhak Modern Literature Award. In 1985, he won the Korean Poets Association Award. In 1987, he won the Pen Club Literature Award. In 2018, he won the Korean Arts Award.

Works

From 4 line poems to serial poems

After publishing his 4 line poetry collection titled Four Line Poetry (1974), Kang continued to experiment with what he himself called the “4 line poems”. The collection Kkocheul kkeokgi sijakamyeonseo (꽃을 꺾기 시작하면서As I Begin to Pick Flowers)(1979) epitomizes the firm characteristics of Kang’s 4 line poetry. Other than these 4 line poems, Kang used various other poetic forms. The poetry collection Haneul saramin ttang (하늘 사람인 땅Land, both Heaven and Man)(2017) is composed of 3 line poems. Kang advocated for the “short poem” style when choosing to write 3 line poems. Although “short poems” take the fixed form of 2, 3, or 4 lines, they have the characteristics of free verse style in that they are not limited by the number of syllables or arrangement in the poetic expression.

Kang’s poetic expression was not limited to short poems, but extended into serialized and longform poetry. Goryeoui nunbora (고려의 눈보라Goryeo Blizzard)(1977) consists of long poems, while Machu pikchu (마추 픽추 Machu Picchu)(2014) Baikal (바이칼)(2019) consists of serialized poetry.

From Eroticism to Life

Kang, with the premise that “poetry is an orgasm”, proposed that poetry is the combustion of life, and that poetry indulges in joy. He declared that “sex is poetry” because of his thoughts that poetry is the sincerest expression of love.

This position on poetry appeared from Kang’s first collection of poetry Sahaengsicho 1974). Consisting of frank sexual descriptions and vulgar language, Kkocheul kkeokgi sijakamyeonseo (1979) received praise for showing the natural exploration of human life.

Kang’s poetry often features the Korean people and their history, and is about common people’s love. Goryeoui nunbora (1977) narrates the national pain endured by the Korean people, from the events of the Three Kingdoms Period to the Japanese Colonization, and in the present from the April Revolution. Eomeoniui mulgamsangja (어머니의 물감상자Mother’s Paint Case) (1995) deals with longing for one’s hometown and mother, while Kkongchi (꽁치Mackerel) (2016) presents the poet’s lifetime of experiences with food.

1) Collected Works

<강우식 시전집  1-2> ,고요아침 , 2007 / Gang Usik Sijeonjip (Gang Usik: Collection 1-2), Goyoachim, 2007

2) Poetry Collections

< 사행시초> 현암사 , 1974 / Sahaengsicho (Four Line Poetry), Hyeonamsa, 1974

<고려의 눈보라> 창작과비평사 , 1977 / Goryeoui nunbora (Goryeo Blizzard), Changbi, 1977

< 꽃을 꺾기 시작하면서> 문학예술사, 1979 / Kkocheul kkeokgi sijakamyeonseo (As I Begin to Pick Flowers), Munhagyesulsa, 1979

<시인이여 시여> 시인사 , 1986 / Siiniyeo siyeo (Oh a Poet! Oh a Poem!), Siinsa, 1986

< 물의 혼> 예전사 , 1986 / Murui hon (The Spirit of Water), Yejeonsa, 1986

 < 설연집> 청맥 , 1988 / Seoryeonjip (Snow), Chungmac, 1988

<어머니의 물감상자> 창작과비평사, 1995 / Eomeoniui mulgamsangja (Mother’s Paint Case), Changbi, 1995

< 바보산수> 문학아카데미  , 1999 / Babosansu (Idiot Landscape), Munhagakademi , 1999

< 바보산수 가을 봄> 고요아침 ,  2004 / Babosansu gaeul bom (Idiot Landscape, Fall Spring), Goyoachim, 2004

<별> 연인 M&B, 2008 / Byeol (Star), Yeonin M&B, 2008

 <종이학> 문학아카데미  2010 /  Jongihak (Paper Crane), Munhagakademi, 2010

< 살아가는 슬픔 벽> 고요아침 , 2013 / Saraganeun seulpeum byeok (Sorrow of Living, the Wall), Goyoachim, 2013

 <마추 픽추> 리토피아  , 2014 / Machu pikchu (Machu Picchu), Litopia, 2014

 < 사행시초 2> 고요아침 , 2015 / Sahaengsicho 2 (Four Line Poetry 2),, Goyoachim, 2015

 < 꽁치> 문학의전당 , 2016 / Kkongchi (Mackerel), Munhaguijeondang, 2016

 <하늘 사람인 땅> 리토피아 , 2017 / Haneul saramin ttang (Land, both Heaven and Man), Litopia, 2017

 < 가을 인생> 계간문예 , 2018 / Gaeul insaeng (Autumn Life), Gyeganmunye, 2018

 <필생> 시선사 , 2019 / Pilsaeng (Lifelong), Siseonsa, 2019

<바이칼> 계간문예 , 2019 / Baikal (Baikal), Gyeganmunye, 2019

3) Poetry Dramas

<벌거숭이 방문> 문장, 1983 / Beolgeosungi bangmun (Naked Visit), Munjang, 1983

4) Studies

김철순, 강우식 <한국의 그림이야기> 계몽사, 1980 / Gim Cheolsun, Kang Usik, Hangugui geurimiyagi (Stories of Korean Painting), Kyemongsa, 1980

강우식외 3인,  <시창작법> 예지각, 1982 / Kang Usik et.al., Sichangjakbeop (Creating Poetry), Yejigak, 1982

<육감과 혼> 민족문화사 ,  1983 / Yukgamgwa hon (Sixth Sense and Spirit), Minjongmunhwasa, 1983

<한국 현대시의 존재성 연구> 성균관대학교출판부, 1986 / Hangung hyeondaesiui jonjaeseong yeongu (A Study on the Concept of Existence in Contemporary Korean Poetry), SKKU Press, 1986

 < 한국 상징주의 시 연구> 문화생활사, 1987 / Hangung sangjingjuui si yeongu (A Study of Korean Symbolist Poetry), Munhwasaenghwalsa, 1987

강우식, 박제천, <시창작강의>, 작가정신 , 1987 / Kang Usik, Bak Jecheon, Sichangjakgangui (Lecture on Writing Poetry), Jakka, 1987

<시창작 방법론>, 작가정신, 1987 / Sichangjang bangbeomnon (Poetry Writing Methodology), Jakka, 1987

강우식, 최승범, <우리 문화의 길잡이>. 고려원 , 1989 / Kang Usik, Choe Seungbeom, Uri munhwaui giljabi (A Guide to Our Culture), Goryeowon, 1989

 <절망과 구원의 시학> 둥지,  1991 / Jeolmanggwa guwonui sihak (Poetics of Despair and Salvation), Dungji, 1991

<시를 어떻게 쓸 것인가> 문학아카데미, 1994 / Sireul eotteoke sseul geosinga (How to Write a Poem), Munhagakademi, 1994

<한국 분단시 연구> 한국문화사, 2004 / Hangung bundansi yeongu (Research on Poems of the Division of Korea), Hankookmunhwasa, 2004

5) Essays

<통금 속의 사연들> 배재서관 , 1977 / Tonggeum sogui sayeondeul (Stories in Curfew), Baejaeseogwan, 1977

<지상에서 아름다운 사랑이여>, 우석, 1987 / Jisangeseo areumdaun sarangiyeo (Beautiful Love on the Ground), Useok, 1987

 < 사랑을 찾아서> 해문출판사, 1988 / Sarangeul chajaseo (In Search of Love), Haemun, 1988

 < 세계의 명시를 찾아서> 문학아카데미, 1994 / Segyeui myeongsireul chajaseo (In Search of the World’s Masterpiece Poems) , Munhagakademi, 1994

6) Compilations

 강우식, 박제천, <시인들이 뽑는 좋은 시(2014)> 문학아카데미, 2014  / Kang Usik, Bak Jecheon, Siindeuri ppomneun joeun si (A Good Poem Picked by Poets) (2014), Munhagakademi, 2014

 강우식, 박제천, <시인들이 뽑는 좋은 시(2016)> 문학아카데미, 2016  / Kang Usik, Bak Jecheon, Siindeuri ppomneun joeun si (A Good Poem Picked by Poets) (2016), Munhagakademi, 2016

 강우식, 박제천, <시인들이 뽑는 좋은 시(2017)> 문학아카데미, 2017  / Kang Usik, Bak Jecheon, Siindeuri ppomneun joeun si (A Good Poem Picked by Poets) (2017), Munhagakademi, 2017

7) Collected Works

강우식 외 4인 <시울림 오중주>, 계간문예, 2017 / Kang Usik et. al. Siullim ojungju (Poetic Echo Quartet), Gyeganmunye, 2017

강우식 외 2인 <문학개론> 성균관대학교출판부, 1994 / Kang Usik et. al. Munhakgaeron (Introduction to Literature), SKKU, 1994

8) Children’s Books

<어머니의 물감상자>,  <김봉선 선생님>,  강우식, 김지향, 박진환, <어머니의 물감상자>, 자유지성사, 2002

<어머니의 물감상자>,  <김봉선 선생님>,  강우식, 김지향, 박진환, < 슬기가 뭐예요?>, 한샘닷컴, 2006

Mother’s Paint Case, Teacher Gim Bongseon, Kang Usik, Gim Jihyang, Bak Jinhwan, Mother’s Paint Case, Jayujiseongsa, 2002

Mother’s Paint Case, Teacher Gim Bongseon, Kang Usik, Gim Jihyang, Bak Jinhwan, What is Wisdom?, , 2006

Works in Translation

조정권 외 23인, Anthology of contemporary Korean poetry 2, trans. Ko Chang-Soo et. al., Seoul international publishing house, 1989 12)

<종이학> <토마토를 혼자 먹는 법> <어머니의 물감상자> <운주사 와불> <사행시초 1, 사행시초2 사행시초3 사행시초4 사행시초7 사행시초8 사행시초15 사행시초17 사행시초30 사행시초62 사행시초65 사행시초99 강우식, 고창수, 박제천  Poems of 3 Modern Korean Poets 문학아카데미 , tans. Ko Chang-soo, , 2012

13)

Paper Crane, How to Eat a Tomato Alone, Mother’s Paint Case, Unjusa wabul, Four Line Poetry 1, Four Line Poetry 2, Four Line Poetry 3, Four Line Poetry 4, Four Line Poetry 7, Four Line Poetry 8, Four Line Poetry 15, Four Line Poetry 17, Four Line Poetry 30, Four Line Poetry 62, Four Line Poetry 65, Four Line Poetry99

Kang Usik, Go Changsu, Bak Jecheon, Munhagakademi, trans. Ko Chang-Soo, 2012

Awards 

Modern Literature Award, Four Line Poetry (1975) 14)

Korean Poets Association Award, Waves (1985) 15)

Pen Club Literature Award (1987) 16)

Sungkyunkwan Literary Award (1997) 17)

1999 Woltan Literature Award, Idiot Landscape, 18)

2014 Gimmanjung Literature Award, Machu Picchu19)

2018 Korea Arts Award20)

References

1)Kang Usik Naver Encyclopedia Page, September 19, 2019.

Pagehttps://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=333145&cid=41708&categoryId=41737

2) Kang Usik Naver Encyclopedia Page, September 19, 2019.

https://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=688588&cid=60533&categoryId=60533

3)Seo    Jeongju, September 17, 2019.

https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/서정주#동� ��_문인과의_관계

4)Gim Guyong,September17,2019. https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/김구용_(1922�%8

4) (2019.09.17.)

5) Gim, Seonhui, “Kang Usik, Poetry and Literature Studies” Kyonggi University Graduate School of Education Master’s Thesis, 2007.

6) Naked Visit, is composed of two stories; it was adopted from the story of Nohilbudeung Daldalbakbak that appeared in The Memorabilia of Three Kingdoms and the story titled “Entering and Exiting”. Naked Visit, a poem that investigates life’s truths, centers on the topic of abortion and portrays the conflict between the modern woman’s love and morals.

7) Kang Usik Naver Encyclopedia Page, September 18, 2019.

https://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=333145&cid=41708&categoryId=41737

8) Kang Usik, When Writing Three Line Poetry, Kang Usik, Land, both Heaven and Man, 2017.

9) Kang Usik, My Life, My Literature, Kang Usik, Kang Usik: Collection 1, Goyoachim, 2007.

10) As I Begin to Pick Flowers, Munhagyesulsa

https://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=1821376&cid=46645&categoryId=46645

11) Kang Usik Collection Naver Encyclopedia Page, September 18, 2019.

 https://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=3533507&cid=51890&categoryId=53710

12) Korean Literature Translation Institute Electronic Library Bibliographic Information

https://library.ltikorea.or.kr/node/9173

13) Poems of 3 Modern Korean Poets–

https://book.naver.com/bookdb/book_detail.nhn?bid=7004926

Modern Literature       Award Wikihttps://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/현대문학�%

83�

15)Korean          Poets     Association        Award https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/현대문학�%

83�

16) “International Pen Club Korean Committee, Pen Club Literature Award Ceremony” MBCNEWS,April1,1987.

http://imnews.imbc.com/20dbnews/history/1987/1802376_19322.html

17)Kang Usik Literary Chronology, Kang Usik: Collection 2, Goyoachim, 2007

18)Woltan         Literature       Award  https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/월탄문학�% 83� (2019.09.18.)

19) Yang, Sunyeol, “Kang Usik’s Machu Picchu, 5th, Kim Manjung Literature Award”, Incheon News, October 13, 2014.

http://www.incheonnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=72123

20) Gim, Sanghun “2018 11th Korean Arts Award, Kang Usik Selected in the Poetry Category”, Newspaper, December 10, 2018.

http://www.news-paper.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=31180